2/10 Morning Marquee: Jeff Samardzija signed, Spring Training awaits

The Chicago Cubs avoided an arbitration hearing with Jeff Samardzija this week when they signed the 29-year-old right-hander to a one-year, $5.345 million contract on Saturday.

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The team had offered Samardzija $4.4 million, and he requested $6.2 million. Samardzija and the Cubs have discussed a long-term deal but will settle on this one-year for now.

The Cubs spent $23.355 million for their eight arbitration-eligible players: Samardzija, Darwin Barney ($2.3 M), Justin Ruggiano ($2 M), James Russell ($1.775 M), Nate Schierhotz ($5 M), Pedro Strop ($1.325 M), and Travis Wood ($3.9 M).

Four days until the Cubs’ pitchers and catchers report.

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